Chapter 31

It's the day.

It's October 31st.

It's Hal's birthday.

We had spent the day before apart because Hal had a meeting with an investor who was being a pain and not the good kind. Thankfully.

"Happy birthday to you." I sang once Hal picked up the phone. "Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you."

Hal let out a low chuckle. "Thank you, darling."

"How old are you now?" I sang, I couldn't help but smile at the small laugh that Hal let out.

"Darling, you know how old I am."

"Alright grumpy Gus."

"Thank you for calling me, darling." Hal said and I just couldn't stop smiling. This was the first time in a while since I slept over at my house and that was for an obvious reason. I wouldn't be able to hide the surprise party I was planning.

"Must you go for this meeting?" I asked, pouting a bit.

"Just for a little bit. I'll be done by two. I promise."

"Okie. Come home so I can kiss you a happy birthday." I said, trying my best not to whine a bit. This meeting worked out well, it gave us one less thing to do.

"I'm going to miss you, darling."

"You too, daddy. Come home soon to me."

"Always."

"Happy birthday, daddy." I love you.

I had everything set up though. I had taken the day off to prepare. So when it was a bit past six, I had already had my bath, pulled on one of Hal's hoodie that I kept over at mine and a pair of joggers and my sneakers.

Prez was already waiting outside, clad in his usual suit. He was leaning against the car, hands in his pockets. Once I walked out of my building, he pushed forward and quickly opened the door for me.

"Do you mind if I sit upfront with you?" I asked him and Prez nodded in agreement. He shuts the door and instead opened the passenger's for at the front for me.

Once I was seated and Prez was back in the car, pressing the start button. Hal has always been there for me to play music but this time I connected phone to the car's Bluetooth, Patricia by Florence and the machine came on.

"What are we picking up first?" Prez asked and I check the mental list that had been in my head for like a week. 

"The decoration from that store down on fifth." I said and Prez nodded. This was the second time he was driving me anywhere. It had taken almost half an hour the previous time to convince Prez to call me Jesse.

I sang along with the music, making small talk here and there with Prez until we got to the store. It was open and I had come the day before to make sure they got my order. All I had to do was go in, grab the order and get out.

Everything had to be ready and perfect for Hal. He deserved the best.

When I got out of the store, Prez takes the brown box and placed it in the back seat. Once I was back in my seat and we were on our way to Hal's house, I shot Danny a text.

Hey Danny, are you awake?

The reply was instant.

Awake and about to get ready. I'll be there in half an hour tops.

I had asked Danny to help me prepare the food for the party. He was going to make Hal's favorite things and Jeff was going to come over later to mix the drinks. So all I had to do was get the cake, put up the decorations and make the finger food.

We got to Hal in record time and I got out of the car, walking into the house with Prez right behind me, carrying the box.

Prez placed the box at the center of the living room before walking back out. Before getting the decorations up, I quickly make toast for Prez, taking out one of the fruit salads in the fridge. I placed it on the tray with a bottle of water and took it out to Prez who was waiting in the little house beside Hal's building.

"Jesse you didn't have to." Prez said as he takes the tray from me.

"I know but you have to eat something." I said. We had a whole day of running around and I wanted Prez with a full belly. My plan was to give him food whenever Danny finishes making each of the party food.

On my way back into the house I wondered if Prez was seeing anyone, if he had anyone taking care of him too. I lined the walls with LED strips, making sure to position them perfectly so it led straight to the back garden. I then dragged the box to the back of the house and got everything ready, fairy lights lining the large columns leading to the back garden. I was almost done when the bell went off.

It was the rental place and they had brought the chairs and tables. My plan was a long table with seats around it. I hadn't invited a lot of people. Just my closest friends and Hal's closest friends.

Jeff has even managed to get Hal's dad to fly over. It was a surprise party for a reason. Once the chairs and tables were set up, I handed the rental people the other half of their payment and they left.

See I had planned this for days.

I had taken out cash from the atm, making sure it was enough to pay for everything. I didn't want Hal knowing about the surprise and he didn't even ask why I had withdrawn a large sum of money. He had just pressed a kiss to my temple.

Tables were arranged perfectly and I draped the large white gold trimmed cloth over the table. The seats were already perfect and white with gold edges. I was done with that and flattening out the table cloth when the bell went off.

I jogged over and pulled open the door, letting out a happy squeal when I see Danny standing there. He was clad in a bright red jumper and black leggings, a yellow beanie pulled over his head. He looked adorable.

"Hiiii."

"Hiiii." I sang back, the two of us jumping a bit.

"I brought over a couple of things." Danny said, motioning to the large brown bags around him. "Let's get this party started!"

"The best birthday for Hal!" I cheered. I helped him carry one of the bags into the kitchen. Danny didn't start cooking though, he wanted to see what I had done. So again I dragged the curtains closed and the led lights shine on, glowing a soft green. Hal's favorite color.

Danny was giddy as he walked through the house and out the back garden where he gasped, both hands covering his mouth.

"Hal is going to love this." Danny said, spinning around with his hands spread out wide. I hoped so. I planned everything with him in mind. It's Halloween and it's Hal's birthday. It's double the special.

Danny got to work. The first thing he made were Pocho Taco, the smell of beef and the potatoes making my tummy rumble. He starts a chicken pot pie, this particular one taking a while and I helped out as much as I could until finally they were in the oven.

"So we have to do the Parmesan crusted pork chops."

To be honest watching Danny cook all this was making me even more excited. I couldn't wait for Hal to come home and see everything.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Hal. Danny was costing the pork loins in cheese and dipping into the eggs.

"Kitten..."

"Hey daddy. Happy birthday again." I samg. Danny shouting over my words so Hal could hear him.

"Happy birthday Hal Janvier!"

"You're with Danny?" Hal asked.

"Yeah. He's helping me out."

"With what, kitten?"

"Nothing." I said, swaying from side to side like he could see me. I was playing with the hem of my sweatshirt with my free hand.

"Be careful doing nothing, kitten. Don't hurt yourself."

"I promise."

"Good kitten. I'll be home at two as promised, darling."

"I'll be here, daddy. Happy birthday."

Once the call was done, I tell Danny that it's going according to plan. Once Hal's meeting was done, Prez was going to go pick him up and drive him around and pretend the car was faulty to buy even more time.

"What else do we have to cook?" I asked Danny.

"The guacamole, Roman style chicken, chicken tetrazzini and the massage kale salad you said you wanted to make." Danny said. "Jeff is almost here and he has the cake and pastries."

"We are almost done."

"Just need a couple more hours." Danny said. I made my way over to my friend and wrapped my arms around him, resting my cheek against his shoulder. Danny was the best friend. The most wonderful friend.

"Thank you."

"I should be thanking you." Danny said, placing his hand on mind. "Hal has only spent his birthday with me, Jeff and his dad. It's nice that you're throwing him this party. He'll love it."

"I hope so." I said. "He's the love of my life and I want to do so many things for him." I said, the words falling out of my mouth before I could stop them. My eyes widened when I realized what I had said.

Love of my life.

Danny immediately turns around and looks at me, his eyes wide and his lips parted.

"Oh my god..."

"I know..." I said, my voice coming off low.

"Oh my god..."

"I know, Danny."

"I knew it!" The chef cheered, pulling me in for a hug, butter and all. I hugged back just as tight with my eyes closed. I had never once said those words out loud. Not even to my reflection or when I'm alone. It's has always been in my head. Saying it out loud was... freeing. I felt like I could breathe. I love Hal.

"Have you told him yet?" Danny asked.

"Soon." I replied honestly. I really was going to tell Hal soon. I was about to say something when the bell went off. Prez was out and Jeff knew the password at the gates. So this was someone else.

I made my way over to the small screen by the door and stared at the woman who was looking right at it. The bell goes off again and I pressed the receiving button.

"Hi. How may I help you?" I asked the woman. She was an elderly woman who had strawberry blonde hair falling over her shoulders, poorly concealed eye bags and I haven't seen her before.

"Is...er...Hal home?" The woman asked.

"And you are?"

"Danielle." I watched her roll her eyes at the screen. "Is be home?" She demanded and I just frowned. She looked familiar. Why does she look familiar?

"Hal isn't home yet. You can c-"

The woman let out a cuss word and raised her middle finger before stalking off. I couldn't stop staring at the tiny screen and I couldn't stop wondering why she looked so familiar. Did I know anyone with red hair?

I shook the thought aside. I had things to plan, guacamole and Kale salad to make, setting up the pastries when Jeff comes with them. So much. I couldn't worry about ride older women.

Danny was so caught up in seasoning the chicken that he doesn't even ask me who was there. He had connected his phone to a red Bluetooth speaker and Dance Monkey by Tones and I was blasting through the speakers. He, however, jump a couple feet into the air when I tap his shoulder.

"You are mean."

"I didn't do anything." I gasped, an innocent smile on my face.

"Meanie."

"If I'm a meanie what are you?"

"An angel obviously. Now make the guacamole so we have less things to do." Danny ordered and I give him a mock salute before going off to do what I needed.

I just really hoped Hal had the best birthday.